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1961 Map of Benkelman

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Benkelman
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

The confluence of the Republican River and its South Fork dominates this 1961 survey of southwestern Nebraska, where the community of Benkelman serves as a vital rail and river hub. The Chicago Burlington and Quincy railroad tracks parallel the river valley, connecting the town to the smaller settlement of Doane to the west. This period in Dundy County history is characterized by a balance of traditional agriculture and specialized regional infrastructure, evidenced by the Benkelman State Fish Hatchery and the Fairground located on the town's southern edge.

The high plains landscape is dissected by several drainage systems, including Spring Creek and Big Timber Creek, while the presence of the Jones Landing Strip and a second unnamed Landing Strip north of town highlights the increasing importance of aerial transportation in the post-war era. For those tracing local heritage, the map clearly identifies the Benkelman Cem and multiple gaging stations that monitored the vital waters of the Republican River basin.